Feeders?

[Duck dogn]

I know this should be in food plot or has already been discussed. I know it's illegal to bait in tn some are for it some are against it. Question is that I don't have enough clear land for beneficial food plots, what 40 yrd by 40 yrd spot I do have I try to keep wheat or rye year round cause they eat it as it sprouts. In my area of southern maury there's like 1 bean/corn field in like 6 mile radius. What does dear need to grow bigger horns? What does doe need to supply for young... ect..... I was talking to a guy in same situation and he has heavy horned 4 and 6 points that are 4 year Olds. As soon as season closes I'd like to feed something to help them through the winter at the same time I don't want to contribute to the disease factor. So would you use feeders or just let it be as is. Sorry for long read just curious. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ski]

Can you possibly thin the forest to create more browse that deer can reach? IMO, plots are like candy or dessert or a quick snack. They work as an attraction but are not as necessary as often given credit for.

The real staple deer food is browse and forage, stuff that grows within a deer's reach. Whether that's weeds or buds on the tips of branches, it is what makes up the vast majority of deer diet. If you really want to feed them, find a way to increase that type of food. Forests you can see through offers little to deer. I always heard that if you threw a basketball as far as you can, if you can see it when it lands then your deer need more food.

 

[Duck dogn]

That's good to know cause my place is thick in spots with privet hedge. Every deer I've seen this week at my place was eating privet. I was thinking of clearing it in the spring for plots but they like it lol

 

[megalomaniac]

They like privet only because there is no high quality food source they would prefer to eat instead.

 

[Duck dogn]

Acorns are slim pickings around here

 

[Ski]

Clearing some privet for plots wouldn't be a bad idea. Lotsa work but it would be a step in the right direction. I wouldn't worry too much about acorns. They're nice but they only last a few weeks in the fall. The vast majority of the year deer are eating buds, briars, weeds, tender young growth, etc. That's the kind of stuff that really enhances a place, IMO. And the only way to have that is by opening the ground to sunlight.